DANVILLE — Being the wife of a head football coach in a small town is without a doubt demanding and can be difficult at times. However, Nichole Crane, the wife of Danville High School head football coach D.J. Crane, said she wouldn’t change a thing about her life.

The couple met 10 years ago when they were set up on a date by a friend of Nichole’s. They now have been married for nine years as of last February.

Crane recalled starting the steady dating stage of their relationship at the beginning of the infamous two-a-day practices.

“We spent a lot of time watching film and with him falling asleep at the restaurant tables on our dates,” she said.

But that didn’t scare her away.

Crane said she feels like being a coach’s wife closely resembles that of a single parent from August to December.

“It means always having a supply of team-colored clothing on hand, lots of meals served in the car, and your children think their daddy’s house is the field house,” Nichole said.

The couple have four children between the ages of 2 and 8 — Hudson, 8; Gracie, 6;, Jake, 3; and Wyatt, 2.

Nichole admitted it is difficult for the children, as far as the time her husband spends away during the season. She said he is usually gone before they wake up in the mornings and gets home shortly before their bed time.

“He is pretty much gone for four months,” she said. “But it is just our life.”

Nichole said D.J. doesn’t let wins and losses color the atmosphere at home, but a loss does mean he will be gone to the field house the entire weekend, watching film and looking for ways to improve.

As far as any expectations placed upon her as being the head football coach’s wife in the small community of Danville, Nichole said she does not feel any pressure.

“The only thing I ever notice is that every now and then a young man will be going out of his way to be extra polite to me,” she said laughing.

“Then it will don on me that he’s a football player.”

Nichole said she is grateful they live in a community that loves football and supports the coaches and players.

They take their crazy life day by day and try to squeeze in family time when they can, she explained.

Even if that means most days after school they are driving by football practice and sliding the van door open so they can watch daddy work and see him for a bit.

“And if anyone sees us out and about together, I am driving while he is sitting in the passenger seat drawing plays on a notepad or breaking down film on the iPad,” she added.

Nichole declared her favorite part of being a coach’s wife is simply seeing her husband in his job. Then, she reconsidered.

“Or maybe my favorite part is offseason,” she said.

D.J. said he believes it takes a special person to be a coach’s wife.

“It involves a lot of patience, sacrifice and toughness,” he said.

He said believes Nichole keeps him grounded and helps him remember what is really important in life.

“Nichole is not only a wonderful mother and wife, she is also successful in her career,” he said.

“She is one of the best speech therapists in the state. God has really blessed me.”